Katherine Dhurandhar
Katherine Dhurandhar is a Community Publisher for Mommy Poppins, representing the Westchester and Hudson Valley region of New York, and a freelance copyeditor for Westchester Publishing Company. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping, and traveling with her husband and son.
Latest posts by Katherine
Christmas lights and holiday activities are back this December, and that's just the beginning of all there is to see and do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this month.
Westchester and the Hudson Valley absolutely sparkle during the holiday season, with light displays and fun celebrations for the whole family. We are kicking off the month with Frosty Day in Armonk, the birthplace of the song "Frosty the Snowman," featuring a parade, tree lighting, entertainers, and kids' activities.
Other festive celebrations this month include Tuckahoe's Winterfest, the Kingston Snowflake Festival, and plenty of opportunities to meet Santa, including at Brunch with Santa at the Bear Mountain Inn.
Be sure to bookmark our Holiday Activity Guide, which features tons of articles on things like our favorite Christmas and holiday events.
Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this Thanksgiving Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.
Families are invited to get a pre-turkey workout at one of the many turkey trots held on Thanksgiving Day throughout Westchester and the Hudson Valley, including the Westchester Turkey Trot in Valhalla, which also includes a kids' dash and free donuts at the finish line.
Other awesome things to do this Thanksgiving weekend include the opening weekend of Legoland New York Holiday Bricktacular as well as local favorites like Frosty Day in Armonk and Rye's Mistletoe Magic.
If you are looking for your next family vacation destination, New York's Finger Lakes region is a great option. Mostly known for its namesake beautiful lakes, the Finger Lakes offer a variety of summer activities, including sailing, fishing, and swimming in the crystal clear waters. However, there are tons of family-friendly things to do and places to explore year-round in the Finger Lakes, from zip lining and leaf peeping in the fall to skiing and snow tubing in the winter.
The area around Ithaca is particularly famous for its many glacier-formed gorges that boast numerous waterfalls. Ithaca is also the home of Cornell University and Ithaca College, and offers many art and cultural attractions and museums, including the kid-friendly Sciencenter.
Read on for all our top picks for things to do in the Finger Lakes with kids and bookmark our Day Trips and Getaways Guide for more family-friendly vacation ideas.
Trunk or treats are the newest Halloween craze for families, and Westchester and the Hudson Valley have plenty of opportunities for your family to check one out.
Trunk or treats provide a safer alternative to knocking on random doors, as kids can go around a specified area and collect treats from decorated car trunks. As a bonus, many trunk-or-treat events offer additional activities, like parades, bounce houses, and even movies.
We've rounded up the best trunk or treats in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, most of which are absolutely free.
You can find more festive happenings for all age groups in our Westchester Halloween Guide.
Looking for the best Halloween events in Westchester and the Hudson Valley for toddlers and preschoolers? Read on for our top picks.
Halloween can be the most fun holiday of the year, but the costumes and effects that make it thrilling for teens and adults can sometimes be too scary for the little ones. Thankfully, Westchester and the Hudson Valley are full of toddler- and preschooler-friendly Halloween events that go easy on the scary while still managing to be full-on fun.
So get your little ones dressed up in their favorite costumes and get ready for some not-so-spooky fun. Standout toddler-friendly Halloween events include the Village of Mamaroneck's Spooktacular Sunday, Children's Day at Headless Horseman Hayrides, and A Very Fluffy Halloween at Lilymoore Farm.
You can find more festive happenings for all age groups in our Westchester Halloween Guide.
One of my favorite places to see fall leaves on hikes with my family is in the Adirondacks region of New York. The Adirondacks region has one of the longest-lasting fall foliage seasons in the country, with peak foliage times from late September in the High Peaks region to mid-to-late October in the Lake George area.
I have been on numerous hikes with my family in the Adirondacks, and these are my favorite family-friendly hikes and viewing spots to appreciate this spectacular seasonal change. So, if you're planning a leaf-peeping trip this fall, add these hikes to your list.
Find more great things to do this autumn with your fam in our Westchester & Hudson Valley Kids Fall Guide.
If you have a budding ballerina who's pleading for dance classes in New York City, you'll find yourself spoiled for choice, and that fact holds true across genres and genders. We've rounded up 22 studios offering kids' dance classes in NYC. Most of these New York City dance classes offer programs for boys and girls, and, in most cases, kids can study multiple styles at one studio; only a few specialize in one discipline.
For more great classes for kids, including everything from baby swim lessons to gymnastics classes, check out our New York City Classes for Kids Guide and Classes Directory.
Indoor family fun centers in Westchester and the Hudson Valley are perfect for getting kids' giggles out and giving them some quality exercise.
From train tables for toddlers to rock climbing and go-karting for teens, this list has something for everyone, with some even offering activities and dining for adults.
These indoor amusement parks also host birthday parties, and a few even have drop-off options.
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